A Co Armagh Orange hall damaged in an overnight fire was raze to the ground in an earlier arson attack, it emerged today.
The entrance to the Kilmore Orange Hall in Lurgan was extensively damaged last night but the main section of the building escaped the worst of the fire.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland condemned the attack, which was discovered at 8am this morning. CCTV equipment at the hall was disabled before roof tiles were removed and a flammable liquid poured inside the building and set alight.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Kilmore Orange Hall, between Moira and Lurgan, was destroyed in an arson attack in 1991 and again in July 2006. It was rebuilt on both occasions and extra security measures were installed to protect the building, including CCTV.
A spokesman for the Grand Lodge said: “This is yet another attack on Protestant culture and our way of life."
He said anyone with information has a "moral responsibilty" to contact the PSNI and appealed for no retaliation.
The hall is used by the local Orange lodge and the Royal Black Preceptory, plus a local band, a youth club and community groups.
The Orange Order said that since the Troubles began, 306 Orange Halls have been the subject of arson attacks, with 54 having have been destroyed. It added that there have been 14 arson attacks this year, as well as a number of other vandalism attacks.
PA